The Vatican gives the green light for the beatification of 20 Spanish martyrs

Pope Leo XIV has authorized the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints to promulgate the decrees which recognize a martyrdom in Spain and the heroic virtues of five religious figures from Europe and the Americas.

The Martyrdom of Ibiza: The Way Is Clear for Beatification

The most significant decision is the official recognition of the martyrdom of Juan Torres Torres and 19 of his companions. This group consisted of diocesan priests who were murdered out of «hatred for the faith» between August and September 1936 in the territory of the Diocese of Ibiza, amid the religious persecution of the Spanish Civil War.

Once martyrdom is confirmed, the Church waives the requirement for a verified miracle, so this group of 20 future blesseds is on the verge of the official ceremony of beatification.

Five New «Venerables» for the Universal Church

In addition, the Holy Father recognized the «heroic virtues» of five servants of God, formally granting them the title of Venerable. From this point forward, confirmation of a miracle attributed to their intercession will be required before they can be beatified. The new Venerables are:

• Fr. Julio Maria De Lombaerde (Belgium/Brazil): Priest born in Belgium born in 1878 and died in Brazil in 1944. He founded three religious congregations: the Daughters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the Missionaries of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, and the Sisters of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament.
• María Teresa Tallon (United States): Founder of the Congregation of the Parish Visitors of Mary Immaculate, who died in Monroe in 1954.
• María Agnese Tribbioli (Italy): Founder of the Congregation of the Pious Working Sisters of St. Joseph, who carried out her work in Florence until her death in 1965.
• Clara Andreu y Malferit (Spain): A professed nun of the Hieronymite Monastery of San Bartolomé de Inca, born in Palma de Mallorca in the late 16th century (1596) and died in 1628.
• Maria Petra Giordano (Italy): A nun of the Order of Preachers (Dominicans), born in Naples and died in Bibbiena in 2006.